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Prayers for the Cessation of Gun Violence

Gun Violence is scary and real. It is also hard to talk about. What is a Christian response to Gun Violence? What is a response that isn’t driven by fear or defensiveness?

The three Bishops of Texas lead the Episcopal response in Texas to Gun Violence. They belong to “Bishops Against Gun Violence” and help to lead our prayers into action in lessening the deadly impact of guns in our lives.

As we approach the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, we share special prayers to help us all bring our pain to voice and to help open each of us to the transformative power of God in our lives and the world.

A Litany for the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath

Sunday, December 13, 2015

written by the Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane, Episcopal Bishop of Maine

Giver of Life and Love, you created all people as one family and called us to live together in harmony and peace. Surround us with your love as we face the challenges and tragedies of gun violence.

For our dear ones, for our neighbors, for strangers and aliens, and those known to you alone, Loving God

Make us instruments of your peace.

God of Righteousness, you have given our leaders, especially Barack, our President, our Governor, the members of Congress, the judges of our courts and members of our legislatures, power and responsibility to protect us and to uphold our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For all who bear such responsibility, for all who struggle to discern what is right in the face of powerful political forces, Loving God

Make us instruments of your peace.

God of Compassion, we give you thanks for first responders, for police officers, firefighters and EMTs, and all those whose duties bring them to the streets, the lobbies, the malls and the homes where the carnage of gun violence takes place day after day. Give them courage and sound judgment in the heat of the moment and grant them compassion for the victims.

For our brothers and sisters who risk their lives and their serenity as they rush to our aid, Loving God

Make us instruments of your peace.

Merciful God, bind up the wounds of all who suffer from gun violence, those maimed and disfigured, those left alone and grieving, and those who struggle to get through one more day. Bless them with your presence and help them find hope.

For all whose lives are forever marked by the scourge of gun violence, Loving God

Make us instruments of your peace.

God Who Remembers, may we not forget those who have died, more than 30,000 this year, in the gun violence that we have allowed to become routine. Receive them into your heart and comfort us with your promise of eternal love and care.

For all who have died, those who die today, and those who will die tomorrow, Loving God

Make us instruments of your peace.

God of Justice, help us, your church, find our voice. Empower us to change this broken world and to protest the needless deaths caused by gun violence. Give us power to rise above our fear that nothing can be done and grant us the conviction to advocate for change.

For your dream of love and harmony, Loving God

Make us instruments of your peace.

All this we pray in the name of the One who offered his life so that we might live, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Interested in learning more about Bishops Against Gun Violence? Check out their website here

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4 thoughts on “Prayers for the Cessation of Gun Violence”

Gun violence is not just what is at play here. It is Islamic terrorism. It is a belief system that supports an ideology that killing others through all types of weaponry is considered acceptable. It is not “gun” violence so to say. We need to tell it as it is and pray in that way.

Caroline- these prayers cover all types of Gun Violence. From domestic to international terrorism to the gun that goes off accidentally. A single life lost to violence is a life too many. Terrorism- Islamic or otherwise- is just one of the ways that guns are used to kill. And all of it needs to stop.